Stories to Watch in NLL Week Four

Philadelphia Wings: 17 Americans? “You can’t play the indoor game with a field team” That was the sound echoed as the Wings roster took shape for the 2013 season. If they were 0-2 there be “I told you so’s” all over the place. Instead they now sit at 2-0, after an 8-7 victory over the Rock in the final 10.9 seconds, and have some people wondering. Now this young team of mainly American players has a BIG test this weekend. Rematch Saturday at Buffalo, & Sunday afternoon at home versus the Roughnecks. Jordan Hall returns after serving his 1 game suspension

Can this young team keep it up and go into the bye week 4-0 or 3-1? or Will they fall to earth and be 2-2 going into the bye week?

Toronto Rock: After winning two straight on the road, The Rock had their home opener spoiled by the Wings in the final 10.9 seconds. Rocks’ big guns held to a total of 7 goals. Another team with two games this weekend. First is Friday night versus the Swarm, then Saturday versus the Knighthawks.

Can the Rock survive the sting of the Swarm? & Can the Rock seek revenge on the Knighthawks after last year’s playoff loss?

Buffalo Bandits: After losing the season opener to the Wings, Buffalo has won two straight. Steenhuis/Tavares were basically held off the score sheet in the first meeting with the Wings.

Can they hand the Wings there first defeat of the 2013 season? Is Dhane Smith a true contender for the Rookie of the Year?

Washington Stealth: Started 2-0, then an embarrassing defeat to Edmonton 18-10. Two big games for the Stealth. First a re-match in Edmonton Friday night, then a trip to the Hive where they will face the Swarm.

Can the Stealth prove last week was a fluke and sweep the weekend? Or will the weekend matchups show there are still some holes out there?

Edmonton Rush: HUGE road win over the Stealth 18-10 after an opening night loss to the Rock in a very close game. Is this a different Rush team? Or is it like last year, where we see some flashes of hope. Re-match at home versus the Stealth,

Can the Rush make a statement showing they are a contender for the West?

Colorado Mammoth: After a comeback win over Calgary on the road, the Mammoth return home for the re-match. Matt Roik played well in getting the win.

Can the Mammoth take advantage of the home floor and begin to be a force in the West?

Minnesota Swarm: After opening the 2013 season with a heartbreaking 13-12 defeat to Buffalo, the Swarm comes off a bye week with two games for this weekend. Friday night they travel to Toronto to face the Rock who lost their home opener to the Wings. Then Sunday afternoon they open the Hive and face the Stealth.

Can the youth of the Swarm come up big this weekend? Or will this be a season of growing pains?

Rochester Knighthawks: Defending Champs are 0-2 after having the Bandits spoil their banner raising night and home opener. Saturday night they are back at the BCA to face the Toronto Rock. This is the first meeting since the Knighthawks defeated them in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals last year.

Can the defending champs get back on track by defeating the Rock (play Friday night) or will this team be facing 0-3?

Calgary Roughnecks: Two straight home loses, including OT to Colorado. Go on road for two this weekend. Rematch at Colorado Friday night, at Philadelphia Sunday.

Will this well balanced team on paper be balanced at weeks end, or be even more UN-balanced?

What do you see happening this weekend? Will we see teams starting to put distance between them? or will we see very close divisional races?